Minister Angelkova spoke in the European Parliament about the future of tourism

The Tourism Minister, Nikolina Angelkova, was invited by the European Parliament’s President, Antonio Tajani, to share, during the summit conference held in Brussels, her vision for the future of European tourism.

The Brussels forum convened for the celebration of the World Tourism Day 27^th of September EC commissioners, members of the European Parliament, ministers, and representatives of leading companies in the sector, so that they may tell what directions European tourism is to develop to over the next 20 or 30 years, and how to create jobs through it.

The conference was opened by the European Parliament’s very President, Tajani. The Bulgarian minister was one of the few to be invited to speak before Europe’s elite.

In 2016 Bulgaria was visited by 8.2 mln. international tourists, a 17% growth, with revenues amounting to EUR 3.2 bln., Minister Angelkova said. Tourism is a priority for the Bulgarian government. The ministry’s objective is to now attract investors for the highest-grade hotels in the sector. We are creating investment incentives not only for the popular summer and winter resorts but also for the development of the cultural-historical, SPA and health tourism in Bulgaria. Our country is blessed with many diverse tourism opportunities, Minister Angelkova categorically stated before the participants from all over Europe.

The Bulgarian minister noted that within the framework of our presidency of the EU Council in 2018 the country will organize two higher-level forums on tourism. Over 98 000 are employed in tourism in Bulgaria. Over 360 000 are employed in the tourism-connected sectors, the Minister said. That amounts to over 11.9 of all employed in the country.

The conference in Brussels was also attended by the leaders of UN’s World Tourism Organization, UNESCO, and many others.